Matoaka, West Virginia Public Records

When major crimes occur or regional initiatives demand coordination, these departments work closely with the sheriff's office to ensure public safety coverage across the county, including the smaller towns and unincorporated areas.

The Mercer County Clerk's Office also maintains an extensive archive of land records, deeds, mortgages, plat maps, that document how the town and surrounding region developed and changed hands over the decades.

To qualify, residents must be United States citizens, at least 17 years old (and 18 by the next general election), residents of West Virginia and their county for at least 30 days before the election, and not currently under conviction, probation, or parole for a felony, treason, or election bribery. Valid identification matching the registration address is required. As a small incorporated town, the community holds municipal elections for mayor and town council, though the schedule and next election date should be confirmed with the Town Clerk, since small municipalities may hold elections every two or four years depending on their charter. Town elections typically occur in even-numbered years separate from federal contests, with candidate filing happening several months beforehand. For voters in unincorporated areas nearby, county and state elections take priority. Residents can find their assigned polling place using the lookup tool at https://services.sos.wv.gov/Elections/Voter/FindMyPollingPlace or by contacting the Mercer County Clerk. West Virginia maintains public voter registration lists available for legitimate purposes, though personal information like birth dates and Social Security numbers remain protected. Campaign finance reports for county and state candidates are filed with the West Virginia Secretary of State's Office and accessible through their website. In the November 2024 presidential election, Mercer County saw voter turnout consistent with rural southern West Virginia patterns, with several thousand ballots cast in a county with approximately 44,000 registered voters, reflecting the area's strong electoral participation. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, voters here will decide several important races. The election cycle includes West Virginia's Class II U.S. Senate seat, currently held by Senator Shelley Moore Capito, whose term expires January 2027, making this a major statewide contest. West Virginia does not hold gubernatorial elections in 2026 (the next governor's race is 2024). State legislative races include all 100 seats in the West Virginia House of Delegates and 17 of 34 seats in the State Senate, with the town falling within specific legislative districts that can be determined through the Secretary of State's district maps. County offices up for election in 2026 include various constitutional offices such as County Clerk, Sheriff, Assessor, and County Commission seats, depending on the specific election cycle. Voters may also decide on municipal races if the town holds elections that year. West Virginia allows absentee voting for voters who will be absent from their county on election day, have a physical disability or illness, are confined to home or care facility, or cannot attend due to religious beliefs. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Mercer County Clerk no later than six days before the election, and the Mercer County Clerk's office provides detailed instructions at their office or by calling 304-487-8311. Early in-person voting is available at locations designated by the Mercer County Clerk during the 13 days preceding election day (excluding the Sunday immediately before the election).